How a Stamford fairground is doing "better" in the energy crisis
The lights and illuminations don't draw as much power as you might think
Last updated 19th Aug 2022
With soaring energy bills putting pressure on many households in Stamford and Rutland, one local fun fair business is managing to avoid paying over the odds.
You would have thought the lights and illuminations at fun fairs would draw a lot of energy, but a move to LEDs over a decade ago means organisers are only having to use one-tenth of the power that they used to.
Owner, Ashley Wood says the move means they're doing better now despite the current energy crisis:
'We invested heavily in LED lighting because we were getting our emissions down, as that (energy crisis) has hit this year it's sort of paying off in another way. We didn't intend for that, but we are in a better place.'
'We have significantly cut down the amount of power we use - the lights are still bright, they're brighter with the LEDs. Technology is there now, you can still put on a good show but you're not using the amount of amp-age or current', he added.
Help needed
One area where Ashley said his business is feeling the impact of the high cost of living is the fuel costs:
'It's the nature of a travelling fun fair. We do have to move from town to town, but that's just an expense we have to try and absorb at the minute so the public can still enjoy the fun of the fair.'
Households could be paying around ÂŁ3,300 for their energy bills when the price cap is reviewed in October.
On Monday the Labour Party called for the price cap to be frozen at its current level of ÂŁ1,971 until April to help struggling families through an otherwise disastrous winter.
It is the latest pressure to be put on the Government to add to its ÂŁ400 help for households with bills that will be paid in six instalments starting in October.
Tory Leadership rivals Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak both rejected Labour’s proposal to freeze the energy price cap through the winter.
Truss has not yet confirmed she would bring in additional payments to help the public, while Sunak said he would set aside ÂŁ5bn to support households.